Toothbrush with refillable dentifrice dispenser



Jan. l2, 1954 w. MARTINO 2,665,442

TOOTHBRUSH WITH REFILLABLE DENTRIFICE DISPENSER Filed April 16, 1949 9 5 I 19'22 W l 5o l26| B Qilnlmlnmulmn INVENTOR.

55 54 @6.4i wlLLmM MARTIN@ l; BY lcg" 45 mzaf4-wumaf n 55| 50 7 ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES NT OFFICE l TOOTHBRUSH `WITH REFIILLBLE DEN TIFRICE DISPENSER William Martino, Westbury, N. Y. Application April 16, 1949, Serial No. 87,970

'6 Claims.

vThis .invention relates Vto tooth brushes.

-'One object of the invention is a novelandimproved tooth brush-dentifrice-container unit.

Tooth brushes -have been proposed `wherein the tooth brush handle is vadapted to contain tooth paste for supply to the brush end of the unit. The prior proposals with which I am `familiar would be unsatisfactory for sanitary and other reasons.

YOne object of the invention is a novel and improved tooth brush-'dentifrice#container 'unit which is "characterized, vamong other things, `by the ease with which the `dentifrice may be supplied in the exact desired quantity to '.thebristles ofthe brush, by its simplicity in construction Vand use, -by the eective sealfofthe dentifrice within the tooth brush and bythe marked sanitaryconditions in the normal use of the unit.

-A further objectof vthe invention isa noveland improved unit of vthe above indicated character having a novel readily replaceabledentifrice reill cartridge. A fur-ther object of the invention is a novel'and improved unit'of the above indicated character which is further characterized with -theease and facility with which a rei-lll cartridge may be replaced, by the novel and -improved'means for dispensing the dentifrice to the bristles-ofthefbrush and by its compactness. Y

A further object'of the invention is a novel and improved combined magazine handle and rell cartridge.

For a better understanding of the inventionreference may lbe lhad to the `accompanying.drawings, forming a part of this application, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a tooth vbrush unit embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional View thereof lshowing the vdispensing 'of the dentifrice to the bristles of the brush preparatory for use;

Fig -4 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrat 'ing the insertion of the dentifricezrei'lll cartridge;

Fig. 45 :is an enlarged-sectional -view of va part of :the refill;`

Fig. 5A shows a modification;

Fig. 6 'is a longitudinal sectional view of a dentifrice refill cartridge embodying the invention.;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view-ef a part -of the brush yshowing -a modification; and

Fig. V8 shows a modification. y Referring to the drawings, .I have .illustrate myzinvention as embodied ina tooth brush-dentifrice-.refill :unit indicated by the rnnneral 1. This is .provided with any conventional `brush bristles v2. The unitcomprises a handle which is formed of two parts, a main body part 3 'and a closing cap f. These Vare provided 1withian 1cn gated cylindrical vmagazine chamber 5,15,th'eicy lindrical `chamber 5 being vformed within .the handle -part 3 and thechamber' "being formed in the cap part d and forming a Ycontinuation nf the chamber 5 when the cap "i is in position Ton the main handle part '3. -A'dentifrice or 'tooth paste rell e is contained 'within this magazine chamber 15, 5. vIn the assembled position .the lefthand end of this `rell 6 rests againstan'ane nular shoulder -1 formed at the lefthand'endo'f the cylindrical vcharnb'er'while therighthandzend ofthe -rerlll rests against an `annular shoulder c8 formed at the rghthand fend of the cylindrical chamberi on the interior of the capii. Th'ezcap 4 may be fastened to the main body Apart-.3 :in .any suitable manner. 'In :the `particular embodiment shown the frighthand end of the Ymainibodyfpart :3 ofthe vhandle is reduced in diameter l'as 'indicated at 9 to nt on correspondingly formed inner"sur' face -lon the-lefthandend of the cap'. When thusttedftogether the-outer surfaces ofthe parts 3 .and forma continuation of eachfothern .The connection between ethejcap ai Yand :the main boder part V3 Yof .the yhandle ymay be any @conventional connection as, :for example, ffrictional, screwthreaded or otherwise. ventilatingopening .I I ytherein leading to'achainiber .H `just Ato the rear -of the refill `cartridge-6.

The .lefthand end of the'brush handle :3 is pro vided with a longitudinal :passage I2 communicating at its righthand .end with the `chamber 5 and continuing -toward vthe left Af zomrnun'icates with an enlarged cylindrical chamber *I3 Vformed in the brush'holding part of .the unit. Thiscylindrical chamber I3 is deiined Von ythe .lefthand end by an annular Vshoulder llland on tlfierighthand endby a beveled annular shoulder .ll5. The righthand end of the cylindrical chamber vI.5 .is adapted to receive the dentifrice or tooth .paste flowing through the chamber or opening I2 .from the refill cartridge 6 and to supply the dentifrice to the .brushes 2. For this purpose an opening -lB is formed in the housing surrounding the chainber I3, preferably within the range occupied by the brushes 2 and a small flexible tube ILas, Afor example, of rubber has its inner endfast'en'ed `se. curely in the opening H with its outer end stopping short of the level of the Youter endsl." ofthe brushesA 2. kThe dentifrice supplied from 'therefill iiows outwardly to apoint near the free end s `2" of .the brushes '2 which is a desired .position ofthe dentifrice asgfor example, tooth paste, forbru'sh- Y ingr and cleaning the teeth.

The rell cartridge t is of tubular shape for fitting loosely within the cylindrical chamber The cap .part f4 y.has fa 5, 5. One end, namely the outer end of the refill cartridge 6 is closed by a plug I8, this plug I8 fitting snugly within the refill tube so as to form a seal against the escape of the tooth paste shown at A. While the plug I8 forms a substantially seal-like closure at the outer end of the refill it nonetheless is movable within the outer tube of the refill to function as a piston for forcing the tooth paste A out through the open or lefthand end of the refill. The piston I8 is actuated to deliver the desired quantity of dentifrice as, for example, tooth paste, to the brushes 2 by means of a rod I3 which is fastened at its inner end in any suitable manner to the piston I8. This rod I9 passes through the chamber 5, elongated chamber I2 and the chamber I3. It is provided with an enlarged cylindrical part 20 at its left end, the latter carrying at its extreme end a finger grip 2i to facilitate the gripping by the fingers to manipulate the rod back and forth during use. The lefthand end of the main body part 3 is provided with a chamber or opening 22 of reduced dimensions as, for example, being of a cross-section to correspond to the enlarged end part 20 and in the particular embodiment shown the part 20 and the chamber 22 are circular in crosssection. This chamber 22 is reduced in crosssection with respect to the cross-section of the chamber I3` When the linger grip is in the closed position shown in Fig. 2 the enlarged part 20 of the rod projects into the chamber I3 with the finger grip 2i being in the form of a head which seals the outer end of the chamber or opening 22 against the entry of dirt, foreign matter, etc. An at-present preferred method of manufacture is to first form the chamber I3 throughout to the extreme lefthand end of the main body partJ 3 and then after assembly of the parts to insert a sleeve 22' therein to form the reduced chamber 22.

A piston valve 23 is movable back and forth in the chamber I3 to open and close the port or opening I6 through which the dentifrice is supplied to the brush or bristles 2. This piston valve 23 is provided with a central opening to accommodate the rod I9. When the finger grip 20 is pushed inwardly to its innermost position the piston valve 23 firmly seals off the chamber I2 from the port or opening I6. When, however, the finger grip is pulled toward the left, as shown in Fig. 3, to force the dentifrice A into the chamber I3, the pressure of the dentifrice on the valve 23 moves it to the left out of closing position with respect to the port or opening I6 to permit the dentifrice to be forced outwardly through the port I6 and the tube I1 to the outer ends of the brush or bristles 2. `In the particular embodiment shown the cylindrical chamber I3 is approximately twice the length of the piston valve 23 and in the position shown in Fig. 3, the piston valve 23 engages the annular shoulder I 4. 'I'he arrangement should be such as to permit sufficient movement cf the piston valve 23 in the chamber I3 to close and uncover the port or dentifrice supply opening i6. The piston valve 23 is thus moved to the open position by the pressure of the dentifrice contained in the chambers I2 and I3. It is moved to the right however to close the port or opening I6 by the main body part 20 of the finger grip whose inner end engages the valve to move it to the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein it rests again-st the shoulder I5 {Igidlsecurely closes and seals off the port or open.

The fastening connection between the inner 4 end of the rod I9 and the piston I8 of the refill cartridge is a readily detachable and attachable one. Any suitable readily attachable and detachable connection may be employed as for example a screw threaded connection, a snap fastener connection or otherwise. In the particular embodiment illustrated the piston I8 is made of a flexible material as, for example, rubber, and the connection is generally of the snap fastener type. The rod I9 is provided with a reduced diameter section 25 near its end having a plug 26 at its extreme end, the latter having an inner annular shoulder 26. The piston I3 is provided with a chamber 21 as, for example, of cylindrical cross-section and in the embodiment shown this chamber 2'I is of slightly larger diameter than that of the end 25 of the rod I9. 'I'he piston I8 is provided with an opening 28 putting the chamber 21 into communication with the inner part of the casing of the refill 6 and this opening 28 in the embodiment shown is of the same diameter as the reduced portion 25 of the rod I9. The rod I9 is firmly attached to the piston I8 by means of the plug end 26 whose shoulder 26 engages the annular shoulder formed in the lefthand end of the chamber 2'I about the opening 28. This construction provides a flexible engaging part of the piston I8 immediately surrounding the reduced portion 25 of the rod which is of suicient rigidity to retain the end of the rod I9 in the position shown for forcing the dentifrice A out of the rell but it is of sufficient fiexibility and resiliency to permit the insertion therethrough of the end 2G of the rod and the removal of the end 26 therefrom by the application of suitable pressure.

Fig 4 illustrates the insertion of a refill 6 within the chamber 5 of the main body part 3. By the mere act of inserting this rell within the chamber 5 while firmly gripping the righthand end of the refill about the piston I8, and by holding the finger grip 26 in fixed position the end 26 of the rod I9 is forced through the opening 28 into the chamber 2'I to firmly attach the two parts together in operative relationship. For facilitating this fastening operation the lefthand end of the piston I8 is formed with a tapered countersunk recess 36 whose walls guide the end 26 of the rod I9 to a central position whereby by the application of pressure to the refill and to the finger grip 20, 2I the end 26 is forced through the opening 2S into engaging position.

A depleted cartridge may be readily removed by first removing the cap 4 and then gripping the outer end of the cartridge casing and forcibly withdrawing the casing and the piston i8 from the operative engagement with the inner end of the rod I9. For facilitating this operation it is observed that the outer end of the cartridge casing extends beyond the main body part 3 thereby enabling an easy and firm grip upon the end of the cartridge casing and the piston I8.

The refill cartridge unit is illustrated in Fig. 6. It comprises a tubular casing 3I of any suitable material as, for example, of a suitable plastic or laterally flexible metal material. It is pref.. ably fiexible so as to enable a firm grip of the piston I8 for insertion and removal from the unit. The casing B is provided with any suitable closing and sealing cap 32 for the end opposite the piston plug end. This closing and sealing cap may be as indicated of any suitable character to form a substantially air-tight seal for the tooth paste or dentifrice A as, for example, this cap 32 may be made of the same material n mi o'f 4which the casing f6 'is made and after `the casing 6 is liilled with the dentifrice this sealing cap '32 may vbe firmly attached to the casing. `Ordinarily the sealing piston plug ISS or JIS is sufficient to form a tight seal in the opposite end of the casing-5. If desired, however, a closing cap 33 similar to the cap 32 may be provided for this end also. These caps may be provided with tabs or .upset portions et for facilitating the removal of the caps 312 and 33.

In the embodiment of Fig. '7 the iiexible Asupply tube I 'l is omitted. Otherwise the `enfi'h'odiment is the same as that described above.

In Fig. 5A I have illustrated a modified form of readily attachable and detachable connection between rod I9 andthe piston sealing Aplug 'I8'. In this embodiment the piston IB is provided with a recess 36 of any suitable cross-section which lstops short of the -righthand end of the plug so that the latter still performs the double function of a seal and a movable piston. The righthand end 35 of the rod le is provided with a special gripping exterior surface so that when the end 35 is forced into the recess 35 in the piston IS a tight operating and functioning attachable-detachable connection is provided. In the particular embodiment shown I have illustrated the end of the rod I9 as being provided with teeth-like surfaces or cross serrat'ions so as to cause these teeth to bite into the wall of the recess 36 thereby giving a sufficiently strong grip to enable the operation of the sealing plug I8 as a piston for dispensing the tooth paste or dentifrice A. As described above with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 5 the refill casing 6 and the sealing plug I8' may be forcibly removed from the rod I9 by first removing the cap 4 and firmly gripping the righthand end of the casing t while pulling on the refill casing.

I have described the piston valve 23 as being movable to the open position by the pressure of the dentifrice in the chamber I3 created by the movement of the piston I8, I8" and movable by the enlarged end '29 of the rod I9 to the clos ing position. However, I have found that where the valve is made of a material to frictionally grip the rod III as, for example, of rubber and the like, the valve is movable to the open and closed positions by means of this frictional engagement with the rod I9 without the necessity of the utilization of the pressure of the dentifrice or the enlarged end 2d 0f the rod.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention a separate rell cartridge is provided as described above but it is understood that certain advantages of the invention are present even though the dentifrice as, for example, the tooth paste is supplied directly to the chamber 5 as, for example, lby the emptying of a tube of tooth paste or dentifrice into the hollow chamber 5 after the removal of the closing cap It, which closing cap may then be inserted in closed position. When the invention is used in this manner the piston I8, I8' needs to be forcibly removed from the end of the rod I9 before the insertion of the dentifrice into the chamber 5 and then re-applied to the end of the rod I9 after the chamber is replenished. In this embodiment an inner lining 6 may be provided if desired in the chamber 5 in which liner 6 the piston I8, I8 moves back and forth.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a modification wherein the refill 40 and the piston element 4l are sold separately. 'Ihe refill is provided with a :closing @cap 132 is'im'ilar vto fthe -cap described above with respect to Fig. 6 and at the opposite end is "provided with aclosing cap '33 `which is similar to the closing cap 33 of Fig. 6 except that it is :provided with `an inward extension 42 which, when removed, leaves the end free of dentifrice for the 'reception of the piston 4I. Upon 'the -insertion 4'o'f the rell in the chamber 5 `of the vunit the caps l32 and 33 are rst removed vas described above and then the piston M vis inserted in ltheopen end of the refill casing it whereupon the operating rod I9 is attached 'thereto asfdescribed above. The piston 4I may be `provided with a finger grip 43 which projects beyond the'ri-ght-ihand end of the `refill casing vthereby enabling fthe ready removal of the `pieten from the `used-up refill after the detachment vfrom the krod I9, ready for insertion ina 'new refill.

'It is observed that "the extreme right-hand end of the rod I9 is rounded as indicated at I9 to facilitate at effecting the operative engagement between the rod and the piston.

The materials used in the making of the unit may be of any suitable character. The handle parts 3 and 4 of the unit may be made of a suitable plastic. The rod I9 may be either of metal or a suitable plastic and the piston valve 23 may be of a metal or of suitable plastic material but is preferably of rubber or plastic material.

I claim:

l. A tooth brush dentifrice container unit comprising a main body member having an elongated chamber therein adapted to receive a dentifrice cartridge container having a piston therein, manually operated means passing through the brush end of the unit into said cartridge container and operatively engaged with said piston, a communicating passage from said cartridge to the brush end of the unit and a sealing valve slidably mounted on said manually operated means, said valve in one position closing said passage and in another position opening said passage.

2. In a unit of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein one end ofthe manually operable means is provided with a readily attachable and detachable operating connection with said piston.

3. A dentifrice refill cartridge for a tooth brush comprising an elongated casing Vand a closing piston at one end of flexible material which is movable therein to force the dentifrice out of the cartridge, said piston having means for ready attachment to and detachment from manual means for operating the piston and comprising a chamber and axial passiage connected thereto for the reception of the end of a manually operated rod in a readily attachable and detachable manner, the walls of the passage being forcibly expanded during attachment and detachment of the rod with the piston.

4. A combined tooth brush and dentifrice supply unit of the character set forth comprising a hollow handle for the reception of a dentifrice refill and a closing cap therefor and comprising manual means and a discharge port at the bristle end of the unit for dispensing the dentifrice to the bristles, said manual means comprising an elongated rod extending into the refill and operatively engaging a piston therein for delivering the required quantity of dentifrice through said port to the bristles and a control valve for said port slidably mounted on the manually operated rod and movable onthe rod to control said port in both the closing and opening operations.

5. A combination tooth brush and dentifrice dispenser comprising an elongated hollow body having a handle end and a bristle carrying end, said bristle carrying end being provided with a discharge port, a tubular dentifrice container within the handle end of the body, a piston in the container for advancing dentifrice toward the bristle carrying end, a rod detachably connected at one end to said piston and extending through said container and through an opening in the bristle carrying end of the body for manual reciprocation by an operator, a valve for said discharge port slidably mounted on said rod and movable by the pressure of the dentifrice to uncover said port when said rod is moved in one direction, said rod being provided with a shoulder for moving the valve to port closing position when the rod is moved in the opposite direction.

6. The combination tooth brush and 'dentifrice dispenser according to claim 5 wherein said body is internally formed adjacent said discharge port to provide a stop against which said shoulder moves said valve for closing said port.

WILLIAM MARTINO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,451,941 Clum Apr. 17, 1923 1,768,968 Wallace July 1, 1930 1,860,911 Trimble May 31, 1932 1,898,803 Young Feb. 21, 1933 2,033,197 Kinkade Mar. 10, 1936 2,053,145 Hamel Sept. 1, 1936 2,133,295 Hollenbeck Oct. 18, 1938 2,236,727 Dewees Apr. 1, 1941 

